one day I'll actually go to Australia

Until then, occasional visits to Outback Steakhouse at Serramonte will have to do.

To celebrate Oddjob's promotion, we headed over to Serramonte for some pillow-shopping and fine dining. I can say Outback is fine dining because they have one of those Zagat stickers on their front door... apparently Outback has the best steak in the chain category.

In light of this revelation - and since I have never actually had steak from Outback - I tried Victoria's Filet (essentially a filet mignon.)

all 6 oz of that filet are pretty good... surprisingly tender!

Like other chains, Outback has republished its menu to reveal the calories contained in each item... I did pretty well with the smallest steak and steamed veggies, and totally made up for it with "Aussie Fries!"

Watch out for the appetizers - at Outback they taste crazy-good and are crazy-huge in the portions. I go crazy for the bacon cheese fries but I wanted Oddjob to choose since it's her big day. Revel in - and beware - the glory of the Bloomin' Onion!

nope, could not hold back long enough to get a full shot. No one held back.

Onions alone are pretty healthy - I remember reading that Egyptian slaves working on the pyramids were partially paid in onions and garlic to keep them healthy - but if you dip it in batter and deep-fry that sucker, you get a lovely plate that exceeds 1000 calories. Luckily, the menu recommends how many people should partake in each appetizer...that should help put the calories - and appetite - in perspective.

Time to sleep!